Cafardo On Suzuki, Cabrera, Griffey, Zambrano

In Nick Cafardo's latest piece for the Boston Globe, he takes an extended look at the Red Sox' early-season catching issues. He reiterates that if David Ortiz's struggles continue, the logical solution is to move Victor Martinez to DH and acquire a catcher. Cafardo names Kurt Suzuki as a player who would intrigue the Sox, since he can hit as well as play defense. Here are a few of Cafardo's other notes:

Cafardo praises the work Miguel Cabrera has put in to improve his image after last year's off-field problems. According to Cafardo, the Tigers "entertained trade proposals for him, but they wanted the farm in return."

Ken Griffey Jr. is off to a slow start this year, but the Mariners will give him time to work through it. Seattle may eventually have to limit his playing time if his bat doesn't get hot, but would never release him.

Cafardo is skeptical that the Cubs will be able to trade for a setup man and move Carlos Zambrano back into the rotation in the near future, suggesting the relief market is fairly thin.

One AL international scout's assessment of Cuban shortstops Jose Iglesias and Adeiny Hechavarria: "Iglesias is certainly the more polished player at this stage, but Hechavarria has more upside…. I’d say Iglesias could play defensively in the big leagues right now, where Hechavarria would need a year or two to refine his game a bit." While the Sox would like to give Iglesias more minor league experience, they could bring him up if something were to happen to Marco Scutaro or Dustin Pedroia.

The A’s wouldn’t move Suzuki—yet, anyways. Stassi’s coming down the pipeline, but he’s still a few years away, so expect Suzuki to stick around.

What the A’s *would* trade, though, is their catching depth. Landon Powell and Josh Donaldson are both quality catchers stuck behind Suzuki, and they both have power, so either’d be nice in Boston’s lineup. The switch-hitting Powell in particular.

I thought Powell’s defense was suspect. I think that at some point this offseason I heard of plans of using him as an everyday DH, but if he is at least defensively decent and has average game calling abilities, the A’s would have a great trading chip there.

Sure. Buchholz or Bard. Now do you want to let those guys go for Ramos? I would love Ramos as well, but I can’t seem to think up a trade proposal that would make sense for both teams. Either the Red Sox give up too much pitching talent, or the Twins don’t get anyone useful in return.

2B/3B are potential holes in our Major League team. I don’t know the Sox farm system well enough to be specific, but the kid’s gonna be a stud, and we’re in no hurry to move him, so it wouldn’t come cheap…

A’s have jake fox, landon powell, josh donaldson, and anthony recker as their other ctaching depth. Landon Powell and Donaldson could do a serviceable job IMO. Powell could be had, but has durability issues. I have no clue where donaldson fits in long term

While Chris Iannetta I think is available for the right price, the Rockies aren’t in any hurry to move him. They would still need a back-up catcher. McKenry is close, but he’s struggling right now with AAA pitching. Rosario is a better prospect but is in AA and at least a year away.

And a Rockies/Red Sox trade? there’s still bad blood for the Rockies after the last few attempted trades with the Red Sox.

Is there anything the Sox could offer Colorado that would help them this year in the playoff hunt? I’m ready to part with Iannetta if it helps immediately, but if we’re only getting a prospect, then there really wouldn’t be much of a point from the Rox angle.

See I don’t think there is anything the Rockies need in 2010. We have Starting pitching depth close in Rogers, and Chacin (both would be in the Dodgers rotation). We have bullpen depth in the minors as well. What the Rockies need is an impact corner bat, that is young and would be ready in a few years. They will need an OF to replace Hawpe next year (but the Rox may have that in Seth Smith), and a 1b to replace Helton in a few years.

See I don’t think there is anything the Rockies need in 2010. We have Starting pitching depth close in Rogers, and Chacin (both would be in the Dodgers rotation). We have bullpen depth in the minors as well. What the Rockies need is an impact corner bat, that is young and would be ready in a few years. They will need an OF to replace Hawpe next year (but the Rox may have that in Seth Smith), and a 1b to replace Helton in a few years.